Trains, Planes, and RVs, Which one is safest during a Global Pandemic?

These are strange times! Many of us still don’t know when the stay-at-home and travel bans will be lifted. I guess that it will happen in “phases”, with each state choosing its own time frame. This will make it extra difficult to start traveling again. If you live in a state that still has restrictions in place, can you travel to another state that is wide open? The biggest question is how will we travel? What will be the safest way to travel? What precautions will be in place? In this post, I’m going to review a few possibilities.

TRAINS

We have been researching traveling by train. I admit that I have never traveled this way but it is intriguing. One specific trip we have discovered is traveling the Canadian Rockies by train. The Rocky Mountaineer looks like an amazing experience! They have 3 different routes: First passage to the West, Journey through the Clouds, and Rainforest to Gold Rush. Some of the train cars have a glass dome for optimal sightseeing. I think this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip, it’s definitely not a budget trip! This particular train is suspended until July 1, 2020. I found Alaska Tours by railway, which would also be a “dream” vacation, they are booking tours in 2021. There are many trains that travel across the United States as well, here is a website showing the most scenic train rides.

How would this be a safe way to travel while the coronavirus is still with us? Well, you could have your own private Train car and isolate yourself from everyone else. Maybe in the dining car, they could seat people at every other table, and in the main passenger car, they could keep social distancing rules by only using every other seat? Of course, we could all be required to wear face masks as well. Are you willing to take these precautions if it means you can travel again?

PLANES

Our second way to travel is on a plane. This is what the CDC website states:

“Because of how air circulates and is filtered on airplanes, most viruses and other germs do not spread easily. Although the risk of infection on an airplane is low, try to avoid contact with sick passengers, avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol”

As far as I know, flying is still not allowed at this time, for non-essential travel. When they do open the gates, what will flying look like? Will they leave the middle seat empty? Will they leave every other row empty? I know that the airlines will probably require passengers and flight attendants to wear face masks. Will they take our temperature as we board? Are you willing to take these precautions if it means you can travel again?

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

This is the one that I favor at this time. I believe that it will be fairly safe to travel in your own RV/Camper or even one that you rent. You have much more control over how sanitary your RV/Camper is because you clean it yourself. At this time, most private and public campgrounds are under strict restrictions. Most are closed to recreational camping. The only camping exceptions are; people who rely on their campsite for their primary residence(full-time RV’rs) and people who require the campsite as a shelter for work. Some states are considering opening some recreational facilities including private campgrounds very soon. These are the guidelines for the state of Pennsylvania(you will have to find out the rules for your state) Are you willing to follow these precautions if it means you can camp again?

• Stay as close to home as possible
• Limit physical contact along the trip at places such as gas stations
• Campsites and cabins should only be used by members of the same household
• All visitors need to follow the 6-foot social distancing rule
• Some campground facilities may not be available such as restrooms and showers

I’m not sure when we will be able to travel freely again, maybe by late summer, maybe in the fall? I am hopeful that we will slowly get back to normal, maybe a “new normal”. Are you willing to have your temperature checked, wear a face mask, avoid crowds, and continue social distancing if it means we can travel again? My answer is, Yes! Nobody knows what the future holds(except God), but I feel hopeful that we are getting closer to traveling again. What are your thoughts? please comment below, I would love to hear from you!

You may also enjoy my post; Travel Wish List

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